The public outrage over Donald Trump’s behavior during a Visit to Arlington National Cemetery on August 26, 2024.

Since that visit to the US military cemetery outside Washington, DC, News reports and campaign photos have emerged showing the previous president with a broad grin and a “thumbs up” gesture behind the grave of an American soldier killed through the US evacuation from Afghanistan 2021These pictures also show the graves of two US Army Green Berets.

The Trump campaign team later released a video showing images of him at Arlington National Cemetery with audio criticizing the Biden administration for his handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Trump’s political posturing and seemingly carefree demeanor at a spot marked with signs calling it “America’s most sacred sanctuary” have many critical comments within the mediaincluding former military leaders.

Trump, for his part complained to Truth Social on September 3, 2024, that the reports of the incident were a “fabricated story by Comrade Kamala and her disinformation squad.” His campaign team says it had permission from the family of a soldier buried in Arlington for taking photos and videos within the cemetery.

But as a legal scholar Specialized in cemetery lawI do know their permission is irrelevant. They will not be cemetery officials. The law allows cemeteries to set their very own rules.

And Arlington National Cemetery has by far the strictest rules of any cemetery within the United States. It is obvious to me that the actions of Trump and his campaign team violate the principles of a spot that requires its visitors to “behave with dignity and respect at all times.”

A singular legal situation – and a novel cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery, where over 400,000 US soldiers and relations were buried, is one in every of the 164 national cemeteries established by Congress and administered by the federal government. These cemeteries were first created in 1862through the civil war.

Most cemeteries have now been converted into Department of Veterans Affairs or National Park Servicebut Arlington National Cemetery stays under the control of the Ministry of Army.

Arlington will not be an atypical cemetery. According to federal law, it’s “a national shrine for the honored dead of the armed forces.” Therefore, the law states: “Certain acts and activities which may be appropriate elsewhere will not be appropriate in Arlington.”

In general, cemetery owners – religious organizations, local authorities, non-profit organizations, for-profit corporations and families – determine who may be buried on their property, the dimensions and layout of the graves, and the rights of grave owners. Cemeteries can set rules of conduct for visitors and regulate what activities can happen within the cemetery.

These rules take precedence over the desires of the relations of those buried in a cemetery. For example, cemeteries may prohibit families from placing plastic flowers on a grave or require that headstones make sure shapes or sizes.

A temporary summary of the events

Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery on the invitation of members of the Families of two US Marines killed in a bomb attack at Kabul airport on August 26, 2021.

After the wreath laying ceremony in Tomb of the Unknown Soldierwhich honors Americans killed in war, Trump and his campaign team, accompanied by Marine relations, visited the grave of at the least one in every of those killed Marines.

As Trump's campaign team took photos and videos of Trump and the others standing among the many graves, a cemetery worker approached him and explained that political activity was prohibited at Arlington. A Trump campaign staffer reportedly ignored the warning and “insulted and pushed the officer aside”, says NPR.

The cemetery worker reported the encounter to the military police However, he declined to press charges – allegedly because Fear of harassment by Trump supporters.

The next day, the military itself took the weird step of issuing a formal statement reprimanding a public figure for inappropriate behavior in one in every of his cemeteries.

“Federal law prohibits political election campaigns or election-related activities at U.S. Army military cemeteries,” the Aug. 27 statement said, “including photographers, content creators, or other individuals present for specific purposes or in direct support of a partisan political candidate's campaign.”

Arlington's Rules

Many modern cemeteries allow every kind of activities, even Conducting running competitions or Film evenings.

Not Arlington.

The rules prohibit jogging, bicycling, picnicking, and animals aside from service animals or military dogs. “Disrespectful and disorderly” behavior is expressly prohibited at Arlington, and all visitors “must adhere to reasonable standards of decency and propriety” while on the cemetery. The rules also prohibit “party political activities.”

In general, the Public may take photos in Arlington, in addition to the media, with prior approval and accompanimentHowever, from at the least April 2022, nobody will likely be allowed to film within the cemetery for “partisan, political or fundraising purposes“ – and that’s exactly what Trump seems to have done.

His team also violated one other rule – that gravestones can’t be filmed without written permission from the deceased’s next of kin. Trump’s campaign team apparently received permission from at the least one family to film their relative’s gravestone, nevertheless it didn’t get permission from the families connected to all gravestones visible within the footage.

Punish

The rules for visitors to Arlington National Cemetery will not be criminal laws. Violation of those rules cannot lead to a jail sentence or perhaps a superb. Instead, the cemetery's executive director has has the authority to remove the perpetrators from the cemetery and prohibit them from returning. The army said it was “considers the matter closedand didn’t say whether anyone was told to not return to the cemetery.

By Lisa Wells, Food Drink Life

If you're planning a beach vacation this summer, the National Seashores could also be just what you've been in search of. With beautiful natural beaches, unparalleled views, historic sites and sparkling waters, the National Seashores offer beach parks on every coast for the proper sand, sun and waves vacation this summer.

Among the many monuments and natural areas that make up the American National Park System are ten national shorelines. These beaches and barrier islands are shielded from development and are a part of the National Park Service's conservation efforts. This signifies that on these shores you can see pristine beaches, unspoiled nature, historic lighthouses and diverse water sports activities.

The beach is already a well-liked vacation destination – 62% of Americans wish to spend their next vacation on the coast, in keeping with a USA Today study. Travel Survey 2024If you might be considered one of those people, the beaches of a national coast offer sand and water for leisure and recreation.

Each offers a singular combination of lovely views, mountaineering and biking trails, camping, an abundance of plant and animal species, and historical significance. Because the national coasts are less industrial, they may also be a solution to escape the crowds. Plan a vacation to considered one of the national coasts this summer.

National seashores on the Atlantic coast

Seven of the Park Service's national seas lie on the East Coast, encompassing a whole lot of miles of coastline from Florida to New England. Visit considered one of these beach vacation spots, or mix several of them for a summer road trip.

Canaveral National Park

The barrier island that forms Canaveral National Seashore is the longest undeveloped stretch of beach on Florida's east coast. Canaveral is positioned east of Orlando and offers quite a few opportunities for swimming, fishing and camping.

Thanks to its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center, Playalinda Beach on Canaveral National Seashore offers a first-rate viewing spot for rocket launches. Launch days are sometimes busy, so plan to reach on the shore early.

Cumberland Island National Seashore

The Cumberland Island National Seashore is positioned south of Jekyll IslandGeorgia. The island can only be reached by passenger ferry or private boat. The island has nearly 10,000 acres of wilderness to explore, including beaches and wetlands. Guided tours offer an academic take a look at the generations of people that have lived on the island.

If you need to extend your stay on Cumberland Island, reserve a spot at considered one of the island's five campgrounds. There are each campsite and wilderness camping options.

Outer Banks, North Carolina

North Carolina's Outer Banks has two national seashores. Cape Hatteras National Seashore offers countless water and beach activities. Coquina Beach is thought for its large sand dunes and exquisite secluded beach. The barrier islands even have three historic lighthouses and the chance to climb the Bodie Island Lighthouse.

Cape Lookout National Seashore, the opposite beach on the Outer Banks, is accessible by ferry. There you possibly can view the herd of untamed horses, travel to the barrier islands with a permit, view the wildlife in the world, or just spend the day having fun with the sun and sand on the island's 56 miles of beaches. Although the Cape Lookout Lighthouse might be closed to climbers in 2024, the Keeper's Cottage will remain open.

Assateague Island National Sea Beach

Assateague Island National Seashore off the coast of Maryland and Virginia is home to considered one of America's few wild horse herds.

About 100 horses graze on the meadows and beaches, providing visitors with an imposing sight. The park also offers opportunities for mountaineering, cycling, fishing and water sports. Camping on the beach is offered on the Maryland side of this national seashore.

Cape Cod National Seashore

Six beaches welcome visitors to Cape Cod National Seashore. Located on Massachusetts' Cape Cod Peninsula, this national beach is the proper escape in the summertime. You can enjoy mountaineering, biking, and fishing on the beach. You also can stroll the nearly 2,000 acres of Peaked Hill Bars sand dunes and historic dune cottages.

Fire Island National Sea Beach

Fire Island National Seashore is positioned on a barrier island off the coast of Long Island, New York, and is definitely accessible by ferry and automotive. Relax on Fire Island by birdwatching, beachcombing, or fishing. You also can explore salt marshes, coastal forests, and the Fire Island Lighthouse.

These Gulf Coast beaches are value visiting this summer

The Gulf Islands National Seashore is considered one of two coasts on the Gulf of Mexico. Gulf Islands stretches across Florida and Mississippi and is the biggest national coastline at 160 miles long. The park includes several Mississippi and Florida Islands Various areas of the park may be reached by automotive and ferry.

Stunning white sand beaches and warm emerald waters within the Gulf Islands are perfect for sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling. Historic Fort Barrancas, Fort Pickens and Ship Island offer exhibits and programs.

Padre Island National Seashore near Corpus Christi, Texas, provides one other access to the Gulf Coast. It was designated in 2023 by The IndependentThis pristine barrier island offers swimming, kayaking, camping and mountaineering along over 60 miles of coastline. Nature can also be wealthy, with baby sea turtles being released between June and August and a whole lot of migratory bird species passing through.

Point Reyes National Seashore on the west coast

On the Pacific coast lies Point Reyes National Seashore, the one national beach on the west coast. Point Reyes is positioned north of San Francisco and is subsequently an excellent stopover on Highway 1 Side trip.

Point Reyes' coastline stretches for 80 miles and offers breathtaking views from its rocky headlands. Elephant seals and elk are only a couple of of the 1000’s of species that live in the world. A network of mountaineering trails takes you thru grasslands, forests, waterfalls and beaches.

The Point Reyes Lighthouse is a must-see on this national seashore. The lighthouse was in-built 1870 and is now known for the 313 steps that visitors must climb to succeed in the lighthouse. Tamara Tsaturyan of Successful as a parent remembers: “Climbing down the stairs to the lighthouse and back up again was a huge challenge. But it was worth it, because from the top you have a breathtaking view of the mighty, wild ocean.”

Travel to America's National Coasts this Summer

From the sandy beaches and barrier islands of the Atlantic Ocean National Seashores to the scenic cliffs of Point Reyes National Seashore, these destinations are among the beach vacation's best-kept secrets. Explore these unforgettable beaches this summer for the last word beach vacation.

“Uncommon Courses” is an irregular series from The Conversation US that focuses on unconventional teaching approaches.

Course title

“Non-profit leaders”

How did the concept for the course come about?

If nonprofit board members don't know what they're purported to be doing, they might be unable to be sure that the organizations they're legally chargeable for governing are well managed. Individuals who don't have a very good understanding of the responsibilities and logistics of serving on a board could have a less rewarding experience when given the chance.

The late Sherry Wagner-Henry conceived and designed this course during her tenure as director of the Bolz Center for Art Administration on the Business School of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

With the assistance of an area consultant who works with nonprofits, Wagner-Henry developed a course designed to arrange graduates to serve on nonprofit boards. The university's Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies, which I direct, added the course to its repertoire in 2020.

What does the course examine?

Students will gain a basic overview of the structure and regulation of nonprofit organizations. They can even find out how their boards and their roles support the transparency and compliance of those organizations that must serve the general public.

Trainers provide clarity in regards to the Loyalty duties – oversee the organization at large and manage its assets – and other responsibilities while coping with various features of board operations. Students will learn the fundamentals of monetary oversight, fundraising, and revenue models for nonprofits. They can even be exposed to legal obligations and the importance of diversity and inclusion policies, and learn lead meetings.

What sets this one-year course aside from most others of its kind is the chance for college kids to serve temporarily on a committee while they’re still in school.

In the autumn, each student is assigned to a nonprofit board and attends board meetings. Students proceed to research and apply what they’ve learned in school while participating in and observing their respective boards.

In the spring, students complete a final project for his or her assigned organizations. These projects, requested by the committees, incorporate the perfect practices taught within the course.

Some good examples of those projects include: compiling handbooks and orientation materials for board members, developing recent board recruitment strategies, and revising board evaluation processes.

Why is that this course relevant now?

Non-profit organizations play a serious role in American society – about 1 in 10 American jobs. The board members who oversee these organizations be sure that they stay true to their mission, comply with local, state and federal laws, and are sustainable for years to come back.

Many of the individuals who serve on nonprofit boards have never received formal preparation for the role, leaving them ill-equipped when a nonprofit fails on account of fraud, declining revenue, mismanagement or personnel problems.

What is a vital lesson from the course?

Participants on this course will gain a practical understanding of the importance of nonprofit boards and the common issues board members face. They will learn the roles required, how boards make decisions, learn to discover gaps in board leadership, and gain expertise and skills that may strengthen the work of a board.

What materials does the course contain?

“The Handbook of Nonprofit Governance”, published by BoardSource, is a core text. Students also read a variety of other sources selected for their relevance to sections and lessons of the course. These materials range from Quarterly magazine for non-profit organizations Articles on financial reports prepared by an accounting firm, Wegner CPAs, for their nonprofit clients. We sometimes attribute relevant podcasts, such as episodes of “The Daily” on the The financial situation of the National Rifle Association and legal problems.

What does the course prepare students for?

Upon completion of this course, students are prepared to be responsible, effective board members with high standards. Several students have officially joined the boards they worked with through this course – including a college and a company that supports Black fathers. Others have been hired by a company after temporarily serving on their board while taking this course.